Tourism to Guatemala's famous Pacaya volcano cancelled due to powerful eruption

Thousands of people could face evacuation in Guatemala after its most active volcano - and popular visitor attraction - erupted, shooting plumes of ash and vapor more than two miles into the air and spewing glowing-hot rocks.

The Pacaya volcano, just 24 miles from the tourist town of Antigua and near the capital Guatemala City, erupted early on Sunday, sending an ash plume high into the sky.

Flights to the area have been cancelled and an amber alert has been issued, warning the 3,000 people who live nearby to be ready for evacuation.

Eruption: A column of ash rises from the Pacaya volcano

Pacaya National Park director, Humberto Morales, said: 'We are assessing with the National Disaster Management Centre (Conred) whether we will need to evacuate the 3,000 people who live in the villages of El Rodeo and Patrocinio.

'Access to the areas around the volcano has been suspended.'

Pacaya is one of Guatemala's most active and picturesque volcanoes and is a popular visitor attraction.

Closed to tourists: This is Pacaya's second strong eruption this year and locals are on evacuation standby

Standing at more than 8,000ft high, it has impressive views of the lagoon of Calderas and three neighbouring volcanoes, Agua, Fuego and Acatenango.

It is a popular day trip destination from Antigua, the pretty, colonial former capital of Guatemala, which has become a Mecca for adventure travellers.